New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-30
WHAT PEOPLE THINK AND SAY.
THE IMPRISONED APACHEs.
A LETTER FROM HERBERT wEISH-vIEwS OF GEN
rR.IS CpOOK AND MILES.

A LETTER FROM HERBERT WEISH-VlEWS OF ZEN
ERALS CROOK AND MILES.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: 1t becomes necessary for me to ask space
In your columns TO reply to a letter signed George
A. shufcldt, and published in TIKI TRIBUNE OF
March %, wherein tho writer comments adversely
upon my report touching the Apache prisoners con-
fined in Fort Marion, Fla. There are All INDIANS
confined as prisoners OF war in Fort Marion. VI
these cighty-two only are men, and the rcmaihoor
women and children The women and children nave
committed 10 offences, and should therefore not
DO confined in small prison like Fort Maron' wheie
disease has carried oil twenty Of them ana VIII
probably carry off many more. OF the men, assert
that tho majority unjustly imprisoned, rs all Oh
that majority either remained pcaceabY on inc
reservation during the recent outbreak or were EN-
ployed scouts fighting tho hosties. further as
scrt that to two Of the scouts now imprisoned we
owe tho surrender OF Geronimo. and that the cam
palgn could not have been carried successfully With
out the employment of these very Chiricahua scouts
For this assertion / have the authority OF Brigadier
General Crook. Whatever acts OF violence these men
have committed formerly wiped out WREN tho
Government accepted their services In the ranLS Oh
It's army, and at this moment to attempt to inhict
them for past acts Is unwauantable and UNJUST
We accepted their promises Of fidelity, AMI to those
promises they have been faithful. Geronimo and
the worst hostlles are confined in Fort Pckcns, not
Fort Marion.
Regarding Chatto. have distinctly stated in my
report that previous to 1883 he was wild INDIAN
and doubtless committed such acts of violence ~
wild Indians on the warpath commit, but that since
1883 he has remained faithful TO his promise. made
10 General Crook tho time OF his surrender To DC
true to tho Government General Crook says III his
report to General sheridan, September II, 1850:
81 assert moreover without reserve or quallhca-
ton of any nature, that these Chlricahua scouts
cclcnt service. and were OF more value IN hunting
down and compelling the surrender OF tho renegades
than al other troops engaged III operations against
them combined"
Tho Interior Department publishes in The New
YORK Times statement TO the erect thae ia'o ~
Is bloOdthrsty murderer and that were ne spVt Ut
hung he would only have his deserts; and yet have
shown that Chato now holds Paper signed Dy alr
Lamar, ir, stating that since leo3 he mas HVea
peacefully with mankind, exertng at all times
good influence over his people lie had the reputa-
uon Of being reliable and brave man; that wheh
ia Washington last summer secretary Endlcott gave
him paper stating that the President had assured req
HIM that 50 long as he shall Keep fath WIN, tno
Government his interests shall be looked aftcT Not
wthstandng all this and the understanding on "hieh
he came To Washington, which was that he should DO
returned TO his reservation or To another letter
reservation. he was imprisoned IN Fort Maroon
can close with no moro conclusive chiofcen'l'I VI
my own position or adequate answer to the a'scr-
tons made by your correspondent that Chatto muir
dcrcd Judge McComas than by quoting IN s,atrnient
contained in letter written by Genera Niles TO
General sheridan Last August, in which The advan-
peaccable members Of the Chlrcahua Apache Indians
Is considered. After stating the advantages General
Miles continues:
"Thc objections to the appear to be serious
First. tho delegation (Chaito and fourteen others
went TO Washington by authority Of tho Govern
mcnt with a view to making some permanent arrange
ment for the future. fear it would be charged that
tho Government had tlkcn advantage OF them ana
believe the Indian would consider 10 an act OF bad
faith. second It would bc known by all the other
Indian trihcs ~ tho Southwest, and they might IN
tho future hesitate about sending any Of thor num-
Der 10 Washington. even ut the request or the Gov
eminent Third. think il would necessitate war
Of determination against those that are down IN ~
N"Nico for " hanishmcnt wore the fate OF those That
had been poaocaLe italics mine thcy would OK
poet Theirs 10 be much worse. and THINK tn"S
would All - killed before morc would surrender
Tho charge that Cha TO. the leading snlrlt
ana brycst ~ the tribe. has committed serious
crimes undoubtedly true, II ia Of every Other
representative % tho wld tribes who has appeared
in Washington from The DAYS of Rcd Jacket TO the
present time. That b. was prc1cnt or concerned IN
The murder % judge McC)mas and family is matter
~ doubt no l. said 10 havo been In another
ulaco AZ the time
Genera Crook states that Chatto uron ono orra
sian saved his ito. Tho evidence ~ his fidelity ana
service 10 the Government since his surrender IN
l--3 Is conclusive. respectfully vours.
HERBERT WELSH
Boston, Mass, March os 1887